By Lindsay Gaesser, SDA Media Relations
Tempe, Ariz.—Retaking the lead with 44 seconds left on the clock, the Arizona State men’s basketball team edged Southern California, 64-59, Sunday evening at Wells Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils (15-12; 7-7) went on a 14-3 run in the final five minutes after trailing the Trojans (10-17; 2-13) by as many as 10 points in the second half.
Four Sun Devils posted double digits on the night. Junior Gerry Blakes led the squad with 12 points and eight rebounds. Senior Bo Barnes netted 11 points and made 5-of-5 from the line, while senior Shaquielle McKissic and freshman Tra Holder each notched 10 points.
“I thought when we went down 10 points with just under 10 minutes to go, our guys really competed,” said ASU head coach Herb Sendek. “They showed a lot of determination. We knew coming in that we were going to be in for a 15-round fight. I have great respect for USC. We were fortunate to have our guys step up and get a win on a night were the ball was a having a hard time finding the bottom of the well for us.”
Blakes opened scoring with a three-pointer, which sophomore Savon Goodman followed up with a layup. Blakes drained another trey to put the Sun Devils up 8-7 with 15:42 on the clock.
After a hot start, both squads cooled off, struggling to connect on offense. The Trojans were unable to capitalize on a three-minute scoring drought and four Sun Devil turnovers in four minutes. Senior Bo Barnes ended ASU’s drought on a second-chance bucket, giving ASU a 10-7 lead.
In the final 10 minutes of the half, USC made six turnovers in a six-minute stretch. The Sun Devils took advantage with a 6-0 run. As the clock wound down, the Trojans made a late push but were unable to take the lead. At the half, ASU led USC 27-24.
In the first half, the Sun Devils outrebounded the Trojans 20-16 and made 8-of-9 from the free throw line. USC outshot ASU .385 to .296 from the field and .333 to .231 from beyond the arc. Both squads had nine turnovers.
The Trojans came out like gangbusters in the second half, erasing the three-point deficit and expanding their own lead to seven. ASU struggled to find the basket in the opening minutes, shooting .250 from the field and .333 from beyond the arc. Goodman finally ended USC’s 8-0 run with a dunk at the 14-minute mark.
“You have to give USC a lot of credit,” said Sendek. “They were making shots and executing very well. I think with four minutes to go in the game they were shooting an amazing seventy-percent from the field.”
The Sun Devils mounted a late surge in the final minutes of the game, which included a game tying three-pointer from Holder with 2:02 left on the clock. Senior Jonathan Gilling followed suit, draining one from downtown to give ASU a three-point lead with 44 seconds to go.
As time expired, the Sun Devils held on for the 64-59 win.
“I think that it is a good sign that in each of our last four wins we have been behind,” said Sendek of the team’s resiliency. “We have been behind in the second-half, and we have been in close games. We have been behind in double-digits in some instances, and we have held our composure and continued to compete favorably.”
Next up, the Sun Devils hit the road for a rematch against No. 9 Utah, Thursday, Feb. 26, at 8:30 p.m. MT. Arizona State then heads to Colorado to take on the Buffs on Sunday, Mar. 1, at 6:30 p.m. MT. The games will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 and ESPNU, respectively.